Veronica Grace Boland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's11th district | |
| In office November 3, 1942 – January 3, 1943 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick J. Boland |
| Succeeded by | John W. Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Veronica Grace Barrett (1899-03-18)March 18, 1899 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 19, 1982(1982-06-19) (aged 83) Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Patrick J. Boland |
| Parent(s) | Patrick and Winifred Barrett |
Veronica Grace Boland (néeBarrett; March 18, 1899 – June 19, 1982) was the first woman fromPennsylvania to serve in theUnited States Congress. ADemocrat, she served in theU.S. House of Representatives during the 77th Session of Congress.[1][2][3][4]
Born inScranton, Pennsylvania, on March 18, 1899, Veronica Grace Barrett[5] was a daughter of Patrick and Winifred Barrett, who had emigrated fromIreland.[6] She marriedPatrick J. Boland.[7]
She was educated in the public schools of her community at the Scranton Technical High School.[8]
Veronica Boland was elected as a Democrat to theSeventy-seventh Congress,[9][10] by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the May 18, 1942 heart attack-related death of her husband on the morning before he would have won the Pennsylvania primary election (a victory which would have sent him to the U.S House for a second term). Urged by leaders of the Democratic Party to fill her husband's seat, she ran unopposed and won the seat on November 3 of that year, during the first congressional elections to be held following America's entry intoWorld War II.[11][12]
Sworn in on November 19, 1942, she represented Pennsylvania's 11th District[13] only until Congress adjourned its 77th session on December 16, 1942, choosing to retire rather than become a candidate for reelection in1942.[14][15]
After returning to Scranton, she worked as an executive secretary for the Dutch Manufacturing Company, but retired from that position in 1957 when health issues required that she undergo eye surgery.[16]
Boland died in Scranton on June 19, 1982.[17] She is buried at that city's Cathedral Cemetery.[18]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 11th congressional district 1942–1943 | Succeeded by |
| People | |
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| Other | |
